Higher Postgraduate Certificate in
Fish and Marine Invertebrate Medicine
language
English
Studies mode
Online
coordinator
Marta Muñoz Baquero
Shawn Johnson
WHO IS THIS PROGRAMME FOR?
Graduates in Veterinary Medicine. At least 12 months of clinical experience is recommended.
FEES, GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Click on the link to view the student fees for this programme. The Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU is the private educational institution which devotes the most resources to grants and scholarships in Spain. Those enrolled on a master's degree or lifelong learning master programme are eligible for an AVANCE Scholarship.
Marine Reptile and Marine Bird Medicine: Specialize & Stand Out
The Higher Postgraduate Certificate (HPC) has been created to meet the growing demand for veterinarians specializing in fish and marine invertebrates. The aim is therefore to train veterinarian in the specifics involved in providing comprehensive care for fish and marine invertebrates, whose physiological characteristics present key differences with those of land animals, requiring specific medical management.
Furthermore, concern for the conservation of endangered aquatic species has created a need for experts who can diagnose and treat diseases affecting them and contribute to research, rehabilitation and conservation. Veterinarians specializing in fish and invertebrates can therefore play a key role in ensuring the health of aquatic ecosystems and marine biodiversity.
The HPC in Fish and Marine Invertebrate Medicine will be delivered online, allowing students to access up-to-date and quality content from anywhere in the world. This mode of delivery facilitates the compatibility of training with employment and provides students with access to experts of the profession via online sessions and to specialized learning materials.
With this training in fish and marines invertebrates, you can
- Specialize in the physiology and pathology of fish and marine invertebrates.
- Gain the skills to diagnose and treat diseases in fish and marine invertebrates.
- Specialize in the medical care of fish and marine invertebrates in aquariums and in their natural habitat.
- Get involved in scientific research on fish and marine invertebrates with the aim of preventing disease and studying new and emerging pathologies.
Learn with the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Europe's largest aquarium
CEU UCH and the Oceanogràfic de València have come together to make this Higher Postgraduate Certificate in Fish and Marine Invertebrate Medicine possible.
The Oceanogràfic de Valencia, part of the City of Arts and Sciences complex, opened in 2003 and it is Europe's largest aquarium. It is a leading international institution for tourism, research, conservation and outreach activities regarding marine biodiversity. It is home to more than 27,000 animals of 700 species from all the planet's main aquatic ecosystems.
It has a veterinary clinic, laboratories and first-class medical facilities, making it an ideal environment for the training of veterinarians wishing to specialize in fish and marine invertebrates. Thanks to this infrastructure, the Oceanogràfic offers the perfect opportunity for a fish and invertebrate veterinarian to gain practical experience and specialised knowledge during the Higher Postgraduate Course (HPC) in Fish and Marine Invertebrate Medicine.
Objectives of the HPC in Fish and Marine Invertebrate Medicine
The main learning objectives are:
- To understand the physiology and pathology of fish and invertebrates.
- To develop skills in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in fish and invertebrates.
- To introduce concepts of conservation medicine and the use of scientific research in the prevention and study of emerging pathologies.
Other specialization courses for marine veterinarians
If you want to further your training as a marine veterinarian, CEU UCH offers you a variety of specialized courses that will allow you to enhance your knowledge expertise in the care, conservation and performance of research regarding marine fauna, equipping you with the knowledge and skills necessary to keep on developing professionally in this exciting field.
We collaborate with the best organisations:
- MundoMar Benidorm
- Wildlife Health Ecology Research Organization
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium
- Sea Change Conservation
- Disney's Animals, Science and Environment
- New England Aquarium
- NC State University CMAST (The Center for Marine Sciences and Technology)
- University of Florida Aquatic Animal Health Program College of Veterinary Medicine
- AWEC (Animal Welfare Education Center)
- The Marine Mammal Center
- International Zoo Veterinary Group
- Ardente Veterinary Nutrition
- The SeaDoc Society
- R3 Animal
- GREFA
Partners
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* Subject not offered in the current academic year. The syllabus content for this course is not available.
Valencia
The faculty of the University Higher Postgraduate Certificate in Medicine for Marine Mammals is composed of:
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Dr Shawn Johnson
Dr Shawn Johnson is a veterinarian who specializes in marine mammals, with a doctorate from Iowa State University and a master's degree in preventive veterinary medicine from the University of California Davis. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked with marine mammals and birds in the areas of clinical care, research, rescue, and rehabilitation. He is a former Director of the Marine Mammal Center in California and is a co-founder of Sea Change Health, where he leads teams in advanced medical care and field anaesthesia. He has published 53 research articles on marine wildlife health. -
Dr Claire Simeone
A marine mammal veterinarian, Dr Simeone is a graduate of Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She has led research on mortality events and was the director of the monk seal conservation programme in Hawaii. Founder of Sea Change Health and scientific collaborator at the Oceanogràfic, she has developed innovative therapies and coordinated international conservation projects. She is the author of 25 scientific publications and was the first veterinarian selected as a TED Fellow in 2018, highlighting her work on ocean health. -
Dr Daniel García Párraga
He is the Coordinator of the Scientific Committee at the Fundación Oceanogràfic and Director of Zoological Operations at AVANQUA. Having undertaken his bachelor’s degree and PhD at Madrid’s Universidad Complutense, he is a European diplomate in zoo animal medicine and aquatic animal health. An active member of international associations, an associate lecturer and a member of inspection committees, he has published over 170 scientific articles and is a leading figure in marine animal research, conservation, and welfare. -
Dr José Luis Crespo
A Veterinary Medicine graduate of the Cardenal Herrera CEU University, he completed his PhD at Madrid’s Universidad Complutense on marine turtle pathology. He is the veterinarian with responsibility for the Conservation Area at the Fundación Oceanogràfic. He has worked as visiting scholar at a variety of international marine wildlife recovery centres. He has published over 90 research articles. -
Dr Marta Muñoz Baquero
A Veterinary Medicine graduate of Universidad Complutense in Madrid, she has a Master's in Aquaculture from the University of Vigo and a PhD from the University of Murcia, specializing in shark reproduction. She has worked at various aquariums in Spain and around the world, providing clinical care. Currently, she is an associate lecturer at CEU UCH’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and also works for the Fundación Oceanogràfic, where she provides her veterinary expertise to the Conservation Department for the rehabilitation of marine animals. She has published more than 10 research articles.
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Dr Carlos Barros García
He is the assistant director of the zoological collection and the curator of birds and reptiles at Avanqua Oceanogràfic. A graduate in Veterinary Science from the Universidad of Santiago de Compostela and in Biological Sciences from the Universidad de Vigo. He has worked as a veterinarian and biologist specializing in exotic and aquatic animal medicine and zoo animal management at leading institutions such as Acquario di Génova or Mundomar. He is part of the inspection committee at EAZA, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, and of the ethics and animal welfare committees at Migramar and Fundación Oceanogràfic. -
Dr Andreas Fahlman
A graduate in Marine Sciences from Hawaii Pacific University, Dr Fahlman holds a PhD in Animal Physiology from Carleton University (Ottawa). He undertook research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution until 2011. Since then, he has combined his research work with teaching as an assistant professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He is one of the leading specialists in diving physiology in marine mammals and is the author of more than 60 research articles. -
Dr Carlos Rojo Solís
Dr Rojo has worked as a veterinarian at the Oceanogràfic de Valencia since 2018. He graduated in Veterinary Medicine at Madrid’s Universidad Complutense in 2010 and received a Master's Degree in Research in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences in 2011. He is currently pursuing a PhD in pharmacology in birds at the same university. He is co-author of a chapter on emergencies in ornamental fish and has published several articles on general medicine in exotic species. A large part of his career has focused on clinical care in wildlife medicine, having worked in zoos and breeding facilities in Spain and the United Arab Emirates. He is a member of the European and American associations of zoo veterinarians (EAZWV and AAZV) and an inspector for the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). -
Dr Teresa Álvaro
Dr Álvaro has worked as a veterinarian at the Oceanogràfic since 2003. She is a graduate in Veterinary Medicine from the Universidad Complutense in Madrid, specializing in animal medicine and health. She is the head of the Veterinary Medicine and Laboratory Department, with her clinical experience focused on the care of aquatic animals. She is co-author of a chapter on emergencies in ornamental fish and has participated in courses on aquatic animal medicine at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid and the CEU Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia.
From a placement to the job of your dreams
For many students, postgraduate programmes are a springboard for them to launch their careers. And that's exactly what we want for you too. With us, you'll get real industry experience during your placement, you'll develop key personal competencies and you'll learn from lecturers who are active professionals.
¿Quieres saber más? >>Compulsory placements
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Framework Regulations for the External Practical Training of University StudentsPDF
More information
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Mireia Burdeus Nadal
Head of the Postgraduate Unit at the Careers Service
- Start date: April 2026
- End date: July 2026
- Lecture times: From Monday to Thursday, 3-4 hours per day, between 2 PM and 8 PM
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Regulations Concerning Continuous Assessment at the CEU UCHPDF
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General Regulations Concerning End-of-Degree Projects (TFGs) and End-of-Master’s Degree Projects (TFMs).PDF
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Regulations on the Recognition and Transfer of CreditsPDF
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Normativa sobre Enseñanzas Propias y Formación Permanente de la Universidad CEU Cardenal HerreraPDF
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Reglamento para el reconocimiento académico en créditos ECTS por la participación en actividades culturales, deportivas, de representación estudiantil, solidarias y de cooperación en los títulos de GradoPDF
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Normativa de compensación de calificaciones de la Universidad CEU Cardenal HerreraPDF
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ADMINISTRATION OF THE ERASMUS+, SICUE AND IBEROAMÉRICA PROGRAMMES – BACHELOR’S DEGREESPDF
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Seventh and last examination opportunity – ProceedingsPDF
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